QUETTA: The rail link between Quetta and Karachi was restored on Monday as the first train left for Karachi with 700 passengers onboard after one and a half years.

The train service between Quetta and Karachi had remained suspended due to the collapse of the main railway bridge in Bolan Pass caused by super floods.

Bolan Mail left Quetta for Karachi on Monday at a ceremony organised by Pakistan Railways at Quetta Railway Station to celebrate the occasion.

“Today is a day of jubilation as untiring efforts of workers of Pakistan Railways turned fruitful, ensuring smooth and enhanced connectivity between the people of Sindh and Balochistan through the rail link,” Quetta DS Mohammad Yousuf Leghari said.

Mr Leghari told newsmen Bolan Mail comprises 12 cars with standard dining and bedding facilities.

Terming Rs2200 fare of Bolan Mail for economy class reasonable, he said Pakistan Railways is striving hard to provide best possible facilities to its passengers.

Mr Leghari said that Akbar Bugti Express is likely to be restored in March next year.

Giving details of Bolan Mail train service, Mr Leghari said the train comprises two AC and four economy class bogies, one dining car, one power van and one brake van and it will operate every other day. He said that three coaches will be attached to the train at Sibi Railway Station.

Published in Dawn, December 26th, 2023